How to Choose the Best Hob

There are many factors to take into consideration when selecting the best hob, from the price to energy efficiency. So deciding what features are important is essential.

A basic electric ceramic stove can cost as low as PS100 however, you'll have to pay more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs are another popular choice, and offer great temperature control, however they are more expensive.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

This Haier hob has four cooking zones, three "Push&Go" functions and can help you prepare quick meals. It was among the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking only four minutes. It's child-safe and comes with an option to pause the process, so you can quickly stop the process without having to mess around using controls.

Its style is sleek and modern it blends seamlessly with modern kitchens. It's usually made from glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has touch controls that sit flush with the worktop for easy use.

The controls were easy to operate, and we liked the display which shows the current power level and Best hob which zone is in use. The 'Boost' feature produces high-powered heat for just a short duration, and is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pans of water to a boil fast. Safety features such as the hob light that is hot or automatic shut-off are also useful.

It's not as responsive as the other hobs we tested in this test. We observed that it took nine presses of the control to attain the highest temperature as opposed to six or seven on other models. It also takes longer to react when you alter the cooking temperature, meaning you may need to alter settings multiple times before your pan is at the right temperature.

This 60 cm model features four cooking zones. One of them is a half-flex zone which allows two areas to easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. It features dual-ring design and best Hob is able to operate on both normal' and 'boost power levels. Boost is perfect for frying meat while searing it or making water come to a quick boil.

It's fully connected via the hOn app and boasts 100's of recipes with guided cooking and 30 unique programmes split into different food categories and types of preparation. It features a simple multislider interface, as well as a lockable' control panel, plus it can automatically detect the kind of pan you're using and set the proper cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans made by third party companies and has a number of safety features like the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

When you're doing work in your kitchen or searching for a substitute to gas induction hobs, they are becoming more popular. Prices have dropped drastically in the past few years. The basic four-zone models can be found for less that PS100. If you're looking for the latest induction technology, it is worth paying a bit more.

This sleek-looking model from Smeg features the latest induction tech to keep your cooking efficient and easy. The Auto-pot detection system recognises pots that have an overall diameter of at least 9 cm and automatically selects the appropriate zone.

Smeg's emphasis on energy efficiency does not leave out flexibility too - this hob is designed to save power by altering the maximum operating temperature of the zones according to your cooking requirements. Eco-Logic advanced mode lets you to reduce energy consumption, reducing the power output to as low as 2.4kW.

The user-friendly interface of this stove was a hit with testers, thanks to its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan's contours along the edges of it. The control panel's colour scheme allows you to quickly determine the operating status of each zone, while the 'Flexi Duo' function allows you to connect two zones together to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful functions, including four cooking presets for automatic cooking (melting boiling slow cooking, keeping warm) and a Power Boost for super-quick results.

Additionally the hob comes with an 'FlameSensor' feature that alerts you of any danger of a fire or burnt-on food. There are a variety of safety features such as the residual heat sensor, as well as an automatic shut-off when the surface is too hot.

It also resists tough stains and features a CleanProtect protective coating. This hob is easy to set up and comes oven with hob nine power levels, as well as an excellent 'FlexiDuo' feature for catering to large pans. There are some additional features like locking controls and a safety fuse to prevent accidental button pressing.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

They are powered by electricity, not gas, induction stoves utilize copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when the pan is placed on the top. They can heat up much faster than gas hobs, and they also use less energy because the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on your pan. They're generally cheaper to run than gas and are simpler to clean and that's why they're an extremely popular choice.

This induction hob and oven by Indesit is packed full of features that allow you to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It comes with two distinct zones that can be combined to form a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as a rapid booster zone to quickly bring water to a boil. Push&Go, for example, lets you cook flawlessly at the touch one button. The controls are simple to operate and allow you to choose nine power modes including the P boost option that gives maximum power for each zone for five minutes.

The controls are simple to operate and the minimalist design is ideal for modern kitchens. In our tests, it swiftly heated up a pan once we put it on the Booster Zone, and boiling pasta water. It took some time to cool down after we turned off the hob, and our test subjects had difficulty seeing the exact temperature on the control panel.

In addition to a Dual Zone and Push&Go, the Indesit hob also has a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to accommodate larger pans. It also comes with a child lock and an overheating block and an auto switch-off system that stops the hob working when it's heated to the point of. Our testers appreciated the fact that there weren't any visible flames or flammable substances and the ceramic glass is easy to clean. Unlike a traditional extractor hood, vented hobs draw steam and smoke out of the pan and out of the room via an air duct on the surface. Our experts thought that this hob's duct was easy to clean, though it required two people to take the filter to change it.

4. GE Induction Hob

Consider how the hob can be able to fit into your kitchen's layout and design, as well as what your cooking style. For example, if you frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, safety features such as automatic shut-off and an icy to the touch surface could make an induction stove an ideal choice. For those who value speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass front on an electric hob is the ideal choice. If you live in areas susceptible to load-shedding, having the ability to use gas hobs in power outages could tilt the balance in favor of gas models.